Fuel Quality Standards (Conventional Diesel) Determination 2025
made under 21 of the
Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000
Compilation No. 01
Compilation date: 25 March 2026
Includes amendments: F2026L00349
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Fuel Quality Standards (Conventional Diesel) Determination 2025 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 25/03/2026 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
1 Name........................................................1
3 Authority......................................................1
4 Definitions.....................................................1
6 Fuel standard for conventional diesel....................................2
1 Name
This instrument is the Fuel Quality Standards (Conventional Diesel) Determination 2025.
3 Authority
This instrument is made under section 21 of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000.
4 Definitions
Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in section 4 of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000, including fuel.
In this instrument:
ASTM followed by an alphanumeric code means the testing method developed under that code by the standards development organisation called ASTM International.
biodiesel has the same meaning as in the Fuel Quality Standards (Biodiesel) Determination 2025.
conventional diesel means all fuel supplied or represented as automotive diesel, excluding paraffinic diesel.
conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blend means a fuel that is a blend of conventional diesel and paraffinic diesel and has a density of between 765 kg/m3 and less than 820 kg/m3 at 15°C.
Note: The density is to be determined in accordance with item 7 of the table in subsection 6(2) of this instrument.
EN followed by a numeric code means the testing method developed under that code by the European Committee for Standardization.
IP followed by a numeric code means the testing method developed under that code by the chartered professional body called the Energy Institute.
mg/kg means milligrams per kilogram, and is equivalent to ‘parts per million’ or ‘ppm’ by mass.
% m/m means per cent mass by mass, and is equivalent to ‘mass %’, ‘% mass’ and ‘weight %’.
paraffinic diesel has the same meaning as in the Fuel Quality Standards (Paraffinic Diesel) Determination 2025.
% v/v means per cent volume by volume, and is equivalent to ‘volume %’, ‘vol %’ and ‘% vol’.
6 Fuel standard for conventional diesel
(1) In relation to a parameter mentioned in an item of the following table, conventional diesel and conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blends must comply with the relevant specification for that parameter mentioned in that item.
(2) For subsections (1) and (6), compliance with the specification for a parameter is determined by using the testing method for that parameter mentioned in that item of the table.
Fuel standard for conventional diesel and conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blends | |||
Item | Parameter | Specification | Testing Method |
1 | Ash | 0.01% m/m maximum | ASTM D482 |
2 | Biodiesel | 5.0% v/v maximum | EN 14078 |
3 | Carbon residue—10% distillation residue | 0.2% m/m maximum | ASTM D4530 |
4 | Cetane index | for conventional diesel not containing biodiesel: 46 minimum | ASTM D4737 Procedure A |
5 | Conductivity at ambient temperature | for conventional diesel and conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blends held by a terminal or refinery for sale or distribution: 50 pS/m minimum at ambient temperature | ASTM D2624 |
6 | Copper corrosion—3 h at 50°C | Class 1 | ASTM D130 |
7 | Density at 15°C | (a) for conventional diesel: 820–850 kg/m3 (b) for conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blends: between 765 and less than 820 kg/m3 | ASTM D1298 |
8 | Derived cetane number | (a) for conventional diesel and conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blends containing biodiesel: 51 minimum; (b) for conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blends not containing biodiesel: 46 minimum | ASTM D6890 |
9 | Distillation—T95 | 360°C maximum | ASTM D86 |
10 | Flash point | Between the day the Fuel Quality Standards (Conventional Diesel) Amendment Determination (No. 1) 2026 commences and 30 September 2026: 60.5°C minimum
Beginning on 1 October 2026: 61.5°C minimum | ASTM D93 |
11 | Filter blocking tendency | 2.0 maximum | IP 387 |
12 | Kinematic viscosity | 2.0–4.5 mm2/s at 40°C | ASTM D445 |
13 | Lubricity | (a) for conventional diesel: 460 µm maximum; (b) for conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blends containing 50% or more conventional diesel: 460 µm maximum (c) for conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blends containing less than 50% conventional diesel: 400 µm maximum | IP 450 |
14 | Oxidation stability | 2.5 mg/100 mL maximum | ASTM D2274 |
15 | Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons | 11% m/m maximum | IP 391 |
16 | Sulfur | 10 mg/kg maximum | ASTM D5453 |
17 | Water and sediment | 0.05% v/v maximum | ASTM D2709 |
18 | Water | for conventional diesel and conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blends containing biodiesel: 200 mg/kg maximum | ASTM D6304 |
(3) Any biodiesel component of conventional diesel must meet the requirements of section 6 of the Fuel Quality Standards (Biodiesel) Determination 2025 prior to being blended with conventional diesel.
(4) Any biodiesel that is blended with a conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blend must meet the requirements of section 6 of the Fuel Quality Standards (Biodiesel) Determination 2025 prior to being blended with the conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blend.
(5) Any conventional diesel component of a conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blend must meet the requirements of this instrument prior to being blended with paraffinic diesel.
(6) Any paraffinic diesel component of a conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blend must meet the definition of paraffinic diesel set out in the Fuel Quality Standards (Paraffinic Diesel) Determination 2025 and the relevant specification for each parameter mentioned in an item of the following table prior to being blended with conventional diesel.
Requirements for a paraffinic diesel component of a conventional diesel/paraffinic diesel blend | |||
Item | Parameter | Specification | Testing Method |
1 | Density at 15°C | 765–810 kg/m³ | ASTM D1298 |
2 | Derived cetane number | 51 minimum | ASTM D6890 |
3 | Distillation: (a) % v/v recovered at 250°C; (b) % v/v recovered at 350°C; (c) T95 | (a) for % v/v recovered at 250°C: 65% v/v maximum; (b) for % v/v recovered at 350°C: 85% v/v minimum; (c) for T95: 360°C maximum | ASTM D86 |
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Abbreviation key—Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
ad = added or inserted | orig = original |
am = amended | p = page(s) |
amdt = amendment | para = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |
C[x] = Compilation No. x | /sub‑subparagraph(s) |
ch = Chapter(s) | pres = present |
cl = clause(s) | prev = previous |
cont. = continued | (prev…) = previously |
def = definition(s) | pt = Part(s) |
Dict = Dictionary | r = regulation(s)/Court rule(s) |
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament | reloc = relocated |
div = Division(s) | renum = renumbered |
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | rep = repealed |
effect | rs = repealed and substituted |
gaz = gazette | s = section(s)/subsection(s) |
LA = Legislation Act 2003 | /rule(s)/subrule(s)/order(s)/suborder(s) |
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 | sch = Schedule(s) |
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |
cannot be given effect | SR = Statutory Rules |
mod = modified/modification | sub ch = Sub‑Chapter(s) |
No. = Number(s) | sub div = Subdivision(s) |
Ord = Ordinance | sub pt = Subpart(s) |
| underlining = whole or part not |
| commenced or to be commenced |
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Name | Registration | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |
Fuel Quality Standards (Conventional Diesel) Determination 2025 | 24/02/2025 (F2025L00164) | 25/02/2025 |
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Fuel Quality Standards (Conventional Diesel) Amendment Determination (No. 1) 2026 | 24/03/2026 (F2026L00349) | 25/03/2026 | - |
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Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected | How affected |
s 2 | rep LA s 48D |
s 5 | rep LA s 48C |
s 6 | am F2026L00349 |
sch 2 | rep LA s 48C |